Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDAir Quality and EmissionsThe actions the Government are already taking are entirely consistent with the need to tackle air pollution, which is the most serious environmental health threat to humans. The…19 May 2020HANSARDAir Quality and EmissionsIt is essential that decisions we make today have at their heart a commitment to long-term sustainability and resilience, both in our domestic actions and in our global…19 May 2020HANSARDChemicals RegulationWere it the case that the British Government felt the need to do such a thing, they would take the step that the noble Lord has outlined, but that is not the view of the British…16 Mar 2020HANSARDChemicals RegulationThe noble Lord is right that we will reduce the costs that have been mentioned if we can facilitate the sharing of data between the UK and the European Union, and that is…16 Mar 2020HANSARDChemicals RegulationI have discussed the issue many times with the Johnson in question. We will take decisions based on science and on the best available evidence, including looking at approaches…16 Mar 2020HANSARDChemicals RegulationWe absolutely recognise that the costs may be substantial. That is why we are aiming to keep the transition to UK REACH as simple and straightforward as possible. We are…16 Mar 2020HANSARDChemicals RegulationMy Lords, leaving the EU provides a unique opportunity to set up our own system for chemicals that will deliver high standards and be flexible to the current and future needs of…16 Mar 2020HANSARDChemicals RegulationThat is a difficult question to answer. I cannot tell the noble Baroness exactly where we will choose to diverge. I gave one example earlier but there are plenty of others.…16 Mar 2020HANSARDChemicals RegulationAgain, I am afraid I am not able to give a precise figure—I do not think anyone is capable of doing so—but we have had these discussions with industry and, as I say, with BEIS. It…16 Mar 2020HANSARDChemicals RegulationI am very happy to give that undertaking. As my noble friend will know, we are on the cusp of developing a new chemicals strategy. We will be putting out a call for evidence this…16 Mar 2020HANSARDEnvironmental Programme: COP 26The noble Viscount raises an important point: there is such a thing as good environmental policy and such a thing as bad environmental policy. Unfortunately, the last few decades…09 Mar 2020HANSARDEnvironmental Programme: COP 26The noble Lord is right that it does not matter where an airport or a new runway is built, in terms of carbon emissions. The Government are probably enormously relieved to know…09 Mar 2020HANSARDEnvironmental Programme: COP 26As I rose to answer my noble friend’s question, I was told that her second point is being considered by the Government as we speak. On her first point, she is right that…09 Mar 2020HANSARDEnvironmental Programme: COP 26This Government are introducing genuinely ground-breaking legislation this year. The Environment Bill introduces world-leading environmental commitments based on environmental…09 Mar 2020HANSARDEnvironmental Programme: COP 26My Lords, we are determined to cement our position as global leaders on the environment. That is why we have brought forward our Environment Bill, Fisheries Bill and Agriculture…09 Mar 2020HANSARDEnvironmental Programme: COP 26The noble Baroness is right that it is not just about what we do domestically. There is a big question about what the UK brings to the world in this super-year for nature. We have…09 Mar 2020HANSARDEnvironmental Programme: COP 26To be able to meet our commitment of net-zero emissions by 2050, every single department of government has to deliver a plan showing how they intend to do their part. One of the…09 Mar 2020HANSARDSingle-use PlasticsThe noble Baroness is right. I make one point about the plastic bag tax. It is often argued that the paper bag alternative is, from a carbon point of view, not necessarily an…27 Feb 2020HANSARDSingle-use PlasticsMy noble friend makes a very good point. At the risk of triggering a groan in the House, I am afraid that I can tell him only that, having consulted on extending the charge to all…27 Feb 2020HANSARDSingle-use PlasticsI think the Government’s record on tackling plastic is pretty robust. We have, for example, world-leading legislation on tackling microbeads. The many billions of microbeads that…27 Feb 2020